Biographies M
William R. McDowell
Dr. W.R. McDowell, Muhlenberg County, was born July 31, 1852, in Jefferson County, Tenn., and is the eldest of eight boys and three girls born to Mahlon P. and Harriet (Tally) McDowell, natives of Jefferson County, Tenn. Mahlon P. McDowell is the son of William McDowell who marriage a Miss Pierson, of Tennessee; she died in Alabama. William McDowell was a soldier in the war of 1812, was a farmer of Scotch-Irish origin.
Dr. W.R. McDowell was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and lived with his father until the age of twenty-four. He moved with his father to Ohio County in 1860, where the father still lives. In 1878, Dr. McDowell engaged in the drug business at McHenry, with his brother; in November, of the same year, he moved his stock to Central City, where he has since been engaged; a part of the time he sold goods through the country.
In the meantime he studied medicine; atttended the Medical College at Nashville, Tenn., in 1879-80, and graduated in the spring of 1883, from the Louisville Medical College. He has been engaged since in Central City in the practice of his profession, meeting with much success; he has also an interest in a drug store.
He was married December 2, 1883, to Bettie Clagett, of Grayson County, Ky., a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Dewels) Clagett.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 913.
Updated July 9, 2018